System upgrades are taking place Dec. 14, to deliver a better overall experience for you. It’s possible you may experience slow load times or periodic issues today. We apologize for any inconvenience.

By clicking this checkbox, you agree to receive our Investing Insights electronic newsletter containing both marketing and educational content from Thrivent Mutual Funds. Note that choosing to receive the Investing Insights newsletter via email does not change any other preferences previously provided to other Thrivent entities regarding the receipt of email marketing.

Thanks for Signing Up!

Be sure to check your inbox for the Investing Insights newsletter to get the latest news and insights from Thrivent Mutual Funds.

October has often been considered one of the most volatile months for stocks – and this year was no exception.

Although recent economic measures have continued to reflect solid growth, the stock market experienced one of its worst months in years, with the S&P 500 dropping 6.94% in October. (The S&P 500 Index is a market-cap-weighted index that represents the average performance of a group of 500 large-capitalization stocks.)

The NASDAQ followed suit, dropping 9.20% for the month. (The NASDAQ – National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations – is an electronic stock exchange with more than 3,300 company listings.)

International markets also tumbled in October, exacerbating an already-disappointing year. The MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks the performance of developed-economy stocks in Europe, Asia and Australia, dropped 8.03% in October, and is now down 11.49% for the year.

But while stocks have been slumping, the economy continues to yield some impressive results:

GDP growth at 3.5%. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at a robust annualized rate of 3.5 percent in the 3rd quarter, according to the advance estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis on October 26. That followed a 4.2% increase in the 2nd quarter.

Retail sales inch up. Retail sales edged up 0.1% in September, marking the fourth straight month of rising sales, according to the advance monthly retail sales report issued October 15 by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Sales are up 4.7% from a year earlier.

Job growth continues. U.S. employers added 134,000 new jobs in September, and the unemployment rate declined to 3.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation Report issued October 5. The economy has added jobs for 96 consecutive months. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 73 cents, or 2.8%.

Income rising. Disposable personal income increased at an annualized rate of 4.1% in the 3rd quarter, compared with a 4.5% increase in the second quarter, and real disposable personal income increased 2.5%, according to the October 26 Bureau of Economic Analysis report.

Manufacturing still strong. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector continued to expand in October, as the overall economy grew for the 114th consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Report on Business issued November 1.

But in spite of the strong economic results, concerns over the Federal Reserve’s tightening monetary policy, rising interest rates, and international economic weaknesses contributed to the October stock market skid. (SeeWhat’s Behind Stock Market Volatility?)

On the flip side, declining prices have made stocks relatively cheaper. The 12-month advanced price-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 has dropped to about 15.5 – down from a 2018 high of 18.5 on January 26, according to FactSet.

Drilling Down

U.S. Stocks Plunge

The S&P 500 dropped 6.94% in October to finish the month at 2,711.74 after closing September at 2,913.98. For the year, the S&P 500 is up only 1.43% after ending 2017 at 2673.61.

The total return of the index (including dividends) was -6.84% in October. For the year, the total return of the S&P 500 was 3.01%.

The NASDAQ Index fell 9.20% for the month of October. Through the first 10 months of the year, the NASDAQ is up 5.83%. (The NASDAQ – National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations – is an electronic stock exchange with more than 3,300 company listings.)

Most Sectors Take a Dive

Nine of the 11 sectors of the S&P 500 closed lower for October, with only the Consumer Staples and Utilities sectors making it into positive territory.

The biggest losers for the month included Consumer Discretionary, down 11.27%, Energy, down 11.26%, and Industrials, down 10.81%.

The results this month reflect a sector realignment in which the former Telecommunications section has been replaced by a broader “Communication Services” sector. The newly renamed sector includes all of the previous Telecommunications sector companies, such as AT&T and Verizon, and adds a number of leading technology and communications companies, including Facebook, Alphabet (parent of Google), Twitter, Netflix, Walt Disney and Comcast, among others.

The chart below shows the results of the 11 sectors for the past month:

Treasury Yields Keep Climbing

The yield on 10-year U.S. Treasuries moved up in October from 3.05% at the end of September to 3.15% at the October close. The yield is up 0.74% this year, after ending 2017 at 2.41%.

Oil Market Cools

Oil prices took a nose dive in October, as the price of West Texas Intermediate dipped from $73.25 per barrel at the end of September to $65.31 at the end of October – a 10.84% decline. (West Texas Intermediate is a grade of crude oil used as a benchmark in oil pricing.)

International Equities Sink Further

The MSCI EAFE Index plunged 8.03% in October and is now down 11.49% for for the year.

All information and representations herein are as of November 2, 2018, unless otherwise noted.

The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Thrivent Asset Management associates. Actual investment decisions made by Thrivent Asset Management will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or product. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor's specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

Gain From Our Perspective

Gain From Our Perspective

Get Our Investing Insights Newsletter in Your Inbox.

Name (optional)

Email

By clicking this checkbox, you agree to receive our Investing Insights electronic newsletter containing both marketing and educational content from Thrivent Mutual Funds. Note that choosing to receive the Investing Insights newsletter via email does not change any other preferences previously provided to other Thrivent entities regarding the receipt of email marketing.

Investing in a mutual fund involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain more complete information on the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the fund, and other information, which investors should read and consider carefully before investing. Prospectuses are available at ThriventFunds.com or by calling 1-800-847-4836.

This website is not intended as a source for legal, accounting or tax advice or services. Work with your attorney and/or tax professional for additional information.

The principal underwriter for the Thrivent Mutual Funds is Thrivent Distributors, LLC. No communication or content, including investment analysis tools and information about the Thrivent Mutual Funds, on this website is intended to provide investment advice or recommendations of any kind and may not be relied upon as such. The communication and content found on this website, including investment analysis tools and information about the Thrivent Mutual Funds, are not intended as a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any security. Thrivent Distributors, LLC has undertaken no review of the individual circumstances of any investor and makes no representations with respect to the suitability of any investment for a particular investor. Any purchase, sale or redemption of the Thrivent Mutual Funds will be executed through Thrivent Financial Investor Services Inc., the transfer agent for the Thrivent Mutual Funds, and an affiliate of Thrivent Distributors, LLC. Asset management services provided by Thrivent Asset Management, LLC. Thrivent Distributors, LLC. and Thrivent Asset Management, LLC. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI.

Thrivent Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC with its principal place of business at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

Thrivent Financial Services, Inc. (TFSI) is the transfer agent for Thrivent Mutual Funds and the Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund and maintains and services shareholder accounts. Pages on this website that include information about shareholder accounts are supported by the transfer agent.

No communication or content on this website is intended to provide investment advice or recommendations of any kind and may not be relied upon as such. This website is not intended as a source for legal, accounting or tax advice. Work with your attorney and/or tax professional for additional information.

Marketing and general information about Thrivent Mutual Funds and the Thrivent Church Loan and Income Fund on this website is provided by Thrivent Distributors, LLC, principal underwriter for the Funds. Thrivent Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC with its principal place of business at 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415.